 |
June 27th Today in History
|
Famous People & Celebrities Born on June 27th:
- Mildred Hill
(1859) - She's the woman who wrote the melody to "Happy Birthday to You." The melody originally was titled "Good Morning to All" and was first published in 1893 in the book Song Stories for the Sunday School. Mildred's sister wrote the lyrics which were modified in 1924 to include the verse "Happy birthday to you."
- Helen Keller
(1880) - She was born healthy and active, but when she was 19 months old, she suffered from a fever which left her blind, deaf and dumb. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, encouraged Keller to educate herself despite her disabilities. It was Bell who referred Keller to Anne Sullivan who eventually became her longtime friend and mentor. One of Helen's favorite visitors was Mark Twain, who sometimes removed Helen's fingers from his lips, saying "Now, Helen, I must curse."
- Bob Keeshan
(1927) - TV's first Captain Kangaroo. Keeshan also appeared on the 1950s Howdy Doody Show. He was the first of three men who played the silent clown, Clarabell. Keeshan claims the TV business was so shaky in those days that the only salary he received was a $5 tip each night from Buffalo Bob -- but Keeshan eventually was put on the payroll at $70 per week. In 1955 he moved to CBS as host of Captain Kangaroo. In 1997 actor John McDonough was selected from thousands of applicants to become the new Captain Kangaroo.
- H. Ross Perot
(1930) - The billionaire and former presidential candidate received 19 percent of the vote in 1992. Perot started his fortune in the computer business with $1000 he borrowed from his wife. During a live national TV broadcast, Ed Koch, the former mayor of New York City, described Perot as "a horse's ass." Oddly, a New York exercise maven who makes presidential predictions based on the condition of a candidate's rear end, predicted Ross Perot would win because he has "...business driven computer buns that are small, compact and aggressive."
- Julia Duffy
(1951) - Actress. Alone Again, Designing Women. Played Stephanie on Newhart.
- Lorrie Morgan
(1959) - In 1993 the country singer dated Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and says the breakup broke her heart. "I would have done anything for Troy," she says. But the age difference -- she's nine years older -- and her children doomed the romance. "Troy was young, and he had a hard time with my children because they weren't his," laments Lorrie.
- Mark McKinney
(1959) - Member of The Kids in the Hall.
- Robby Rosa
(1970) - The former Menudo member co-wrote Ricky Martin's 1999 hit "Livin' La Vida Loca."
- Tobey Maguire
(1975) - Actor. Maguire found his Spidey costume a snug fit. In fact, he had to be sewn into it because the zipper broke easily while doing stunts. Tobey says he also had to hold off on water breaks because getting out of the suit to go to the bathroom was an ordeal. Spider-Man 2 (2004), Seabiscuit (2003), The 25th Hour (2002), Spider-Man (2002), Wonder Boys (2000), The Cider House Rules (1999), Deconstructing Harry (1997), This Boy's Life (1993).
- Matthew Lewis
(1989) - Played Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and Sorcer's Stone (2001).
- Madylin Sweeten
(1991) - Ally Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Famous and Noteworthy Events on June 27th:
(1652) - The first traffic regulation in America went into effect in New York City (then called New Amsterdam). The law limited the driving of wagons, carts and sleighs to a gallup. The fine for speeding was 2 pounds.
(1772) - The Marquis de Sade was arrested on charges that he hired four prostitutes, fed them Spanish fly and beat them more than 800 times. The Marquis was thrown in prison and later a lunatic asylum where he organized amateur plays.
(1844) - Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, was killed by an angry mob in Carthage, Illinois. The citizens of Carthage attacked Smith after his followers destroyed the printing press of a local newspaper which criticized the Mormons.
(1938) - Pennsylvania farmers facing an egg surplus installed the world's first vending machines to dispense hard-boiled eggs. The machine-delivered eggs cost 5 cents each and were available in cafes and bars.
(1950) - The United States became involved in the Korean War as President Truman ordered U.S. forces to help South Korea repel an invasion from North Korea.
(1964) - Jan and Dean's "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" was released.
(1964) - Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman were married. Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only 38 days.
(1969) - What some historians call the beginning of the gay rights movement occurred after a riot broke out at the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar. Patrons at the club clashed with cops who raided the bar solely to harass gays inside the club.
(1970) - "The Love You Save/I Found That Girl" was the No. 1 song.
(1975) - Pro golfers Jerry Heard, Bobby Nicholas and Lee Trevino were struck by a bolt of lightning during the second round of a golf match in Chicago. Trevino says he's still frightened of lightning storms and even the flash from a camera makes him jump.
(1985) - Route 66 was decertified as a highway by the U.S. government. The 2200-mile strip of asphalt started in Chicago and ended in Santa Monica, California. The lyrics of the well-known song, "Route 66," rattle off some of the towns along the way: ... St. Louis; Joplin, Missouri; Oklahoma City is mighty pretty. You'll see Amarillo; Gallup, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona -- don't forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino. When you make that California trip. Get your kicks on Route 66.
(1991) - Thurgood Marshall announced his resignation from the Supreme Court. Four days later, on July 1, 1991, President Bush selected Clarence Thomas to succeed Marshall.
MORE HISTORIC BIRTHS & EVENTS IN JUNE :
|
|
